ABSRACT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to have a significant impact on the environment, both positive and negative. The development and implementation of AI have revolutionized many aspects of our lives, including the way we interact with the environment. With its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, learn from patterns, and make decisions in real-time, AI can be used to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance sustainable practices. However, the negative environmental impact of AI is also a cause for concern.

INTRODUCTION

These days, artificial intelligence (AI) is a global topic of discussion and is unavoidable. Across many industries, the rise of AI has been greeted with both excitement and fear. However, AI is also relevant to the environmental domain. For instance, the technology may be able to resolve challenging issues in the context of halting global climate change. Artificial Intelligence has the potential to accelerate scientific progress, promote the creation of novel and sustainable materials, enhance energy efficiency, provide guidance for disaster management, and predict natural phenomena such as weather patterns, landslides, and erosion.

AI has a favourable environmental impact in a number of areas. AI's potential to optimise energy use and cut waste is among its most important advantages. For instance, real-time energy usage optimisation through machine learning algorithms can minimise the reliance on fossil fuel-based energy generation by analysing data from smart networks. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions may decline, lessening the impact of climate change.

AI can be used to create and implement sustainable methods in transportation, forestry, and agriculture, among other areas. For instance, precision farming can assist farmers in using fewer pesticides and fertilisers, resulting in healthier crops and less pollution of the environment. In a similar vein, AI-driven forestry management may guarantee that woods are maintained sustainably, with the least possible negative effects on the nearby ecosystem. Artificial intelligence (AI) in transportation can aid in route optimisation and fuel conservation, resulting in reduced emissions and better air quality.

There is risk associated with these advancements. AI may worsen resource and energy consumption, promote the spread of bias and false information, and result in job displacement across a number of industries. For these reasons, ethical and responsible regulation of AI is crucial to guaranteeing public safety and interest protection.

Our natural resources—such as water, clean air, fertile land, and precious metals—must be maximised as we enter a new century. Artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool in solving many optimisation and resource scarcity challenges.

AI can also benefit the environment by facilitating the creation of novel, environmentally friendly materials. AI can be used to create novel materials with desired characteristics, such lighter weight or more strength, for applications ranging from aerospace to construction. By using renewable resources to make these materials, we can lessen our need on fossil fuels and the environmental damage that comes with manufacturing.

AI may also be used to track and forecast changes in the environment, which will improve our comprehension and ability to deal with environmental problems. AI may be used, for instance, to track and forecast weather patterns, which will help us prepare for extreme weather occurrences and lessen their effects on society and the environment. AI may also be used to track and evaluate environmental data, like the quality of the air and water, to pinpoint problem areas and create focused solutions.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is heralded as a game-changer, there is a serious concern about its possible influence on the environment. AI technology has a significant carbon footprint throughout its creation, upkeep, and disposal.

Impacts

• Carbon footprint

The energy-intensive, carbon – foot printing mechanism that powers AI's genius is hidden behind the scenes.

AI models require a tremendous amount of energy to train and operate, especially when datasets and models get more complicated. Climate change is made worse by this growth in energy demand, which has a direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of processing power needed to train state-of-the-art AI models has doubled every 3.4 months since 2012, according to Open AI researchers. A significant portion of the emissions from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) business are predicted to originate from ICT infrastructure, including data centres and communication networks, and are estimated to account for 14% of world emissions by 2040.

By the end of the next year, the billions of internet-connected devices may account for as much as 3.5 percent of the world's carbon emissions. In data centres, energy consumption is linked to the usage of electricity as well as the constant, round-the-clock operation of large air conditioners, which are necessary to prevent computers and servers from overheating. Data centres play a major role in the AI industry, and as AI becomes more widely used, data centre carbon emissions will certainly rise over the coming years.

Scientists at Cornell University discovered in a recent study that the electricity used to train LLMs like GPT-3 was equal to 500 metric tonnes of carbon, or 1.1 million pounds. An average coal-fired power station uses roughly 2.7 million pounds of coal to run continuously for a whole day.1. Therefore, training LLMs is like burning coal for ten hours straight, or almost half a day. It's important to note that these models are not trained only once; in order for LLMs to continue to be accurate and relevant over time, they must be consistently trained on the most recent data.

These findings show how urgently it is to address AI's carbon impact and role in degradation of the environment.

• Electronic Waste Management

AI technology generates e-waste, which is a significant environmental problem. Lead, mercury, and cadmium are just a few of the dangerous substances found in e-waste that can contaminate soil and water supplies and harm the environment as well as human health.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that more than 120 million metric tonnes of e-waste would be produced worldwide by 2050. Appropriate handling and recycling of electronic trash are crucial to prevent damage to the environment and reduce the emission of hazardous substances. More stringent legislation and ethical disposal methods are needed to ensure the secure processing and recycling of AI-related electronic trash and dramatically limit its negative environmental effects.

• Effects on Natural Ecosystems

Animals and the environment are at risk from AI applications like autonomous cars and delivery drones. AI-driven automation could lead to increased waste and consumption in some industries, including e-commerce, where quick and regular delivery of items has been the standard.
An excessive amount of pesticides and fertilisers could be used as a result of the growing usage of AI in agriculture, damaging the land and water and destroying biodiversity. Monocultures and the loss of biodiversity could result from using AI in agricultural techniques to boost yields at the expense of preserving the health of the ecosystem.

• Insufficient Accountability and Transparency

The complex world of artificial intelligence (AI) research and application fosters a lack of      accountability and openness about the technology's environmental impact. Some businesses prioritise their bottom line and competitive advantage over any potential environmental harm that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may cause. Because AI systems are so complicated, it might be difficult for users to fully understand their environmental impact. The covert techniques and hidden data used to train AI models make it difficult to accurately assess their carbon footprint or possible environmental impact.

More open processes and legislation that guarantee AI development and use are compliant with environmental regulations are required to address this. Working towards more accountability will enable a responsible AI strategy that puts sustainability first.

Strategy for Assuring AI's Long-Term Survival

It will take a diversified approach to lessen AI's environmental impact.

Above all, energy consumption can be significantly reduced by providing funds for the development of AI algorithms and energy-efficient technology. Artificial intelligence systems can attain comparable levels of efficiency while using less energy by optimising their hardware and algorithms. Encouraging moral AI design principles is also crucial, as is ensuring that end-of-life concerns are taken into account and preventing needless data collecting.

Additionally, a culture of accountability and transparency needs to be fostered. Stakeholders must give priority to providing relevant data about AI models and data sources in order to assess their environmental impact. Governments and regulatory bodies should establish clear guidelines and regulations to guarantee the moral development, application, and disposal of AI technologies. Additionally, crucial is cooperation between industry, academia, and policymakers. It is recommended that researchers prioritise technological advancements and environmental sustainability in their solution-building efforts by encouraging interdisciplinary research and knowledge sharing.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, AI has a huge potential to have an impact on the environment, both positively and negatively. AI has the ability to improve sustainable behaviours, lower waste, and increase energy efficiency. It might, however, also have an adverse effect on the ecosystem and the depletion of natural resources. It is imperative to take action to encourage responsible and sustainable usage of AI while reducing any potential harmful environmental effects. By doing this, we can make sure that AI helps create a future that is more ecologically friendly and sustainable.

Public education regarding the possible environmental effects of AI is also crucial, as is encouraging its responsible and sustainable use. By making educated judgements and promoting sustainable habits, the public can have a substantial impact on the development and application of AI technologies.

REFRENCES

1. Rita li, 2023. The environmental impact of AI. Retrieved from.

https://insights.grcglobalgroup.com/the-environmental-impact-of-ai/

Dated on – 5/08/2024

2. Molly Flanagan, AI and environmental challenges, Environmental innovation initiatives, University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from.

https://environment.upenn.edu/events-insights/news/ai-and-environmental-challenges

Dated on – 5/08/2024

3. Jude Coleman, 2023, AI climate impact goes beyond its emissions. Retrieved from.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ais-climate-impact-goes-beyond-its-emissions/

Dated on – 6/08/2024

4. Alokya Kanungo, 2023, The green dilemma – can AI fulfil its potential without harming the environment. Retrieved from.

https://earth.org/the-green-dilemma-can-ai-fulfil-its-potential-without-harming-the-environment/

Dated on – 6/08/2024

5. Monica De Bolle, 2024, AI carbon footprint appears likely to be alarming. Retrieved from.

https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2024/ais-carbon-footprint-appears-likely-be-alarming

The Above Paper is Written by Nandini Wadhwani, Research Scholar along with Dr. Anjali Juyal,  Guest Faculty, RMCS Department and Dr. Hemu Rathore, Professor and HOD RMCS Department at the CCAS, MPUAT, Udaipur.